U.S. Secretary of Commerce Announces 12 Manufacturing Communities

U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker recently announced the first 12 communities that will be designated Manufacturing Communities as part of the Investing in Manufacturing Communities Partnership (IMCP) initiative. The program is designed to accelerate the resurgence of manufacturing in communities nationwide by supporting the development of long-term economic development strategies that help communities attract and expand private investment in the manufacturing sector and increase international trade and exports.

From the 70 communities that applied, these 12 were selected based on the strength of their economic development plans, the potential for impact in their communities, and the depths of their partnerships across the public and private sector to carry out their plans.

The 12 designated Manufacturing Communities will receive coordinated support for their strategies from eleven federal agencies with $1.3 billion available in federal economic development assistance. These communities will also receive a dedicated federal liaison at each of these agencies that will help them navigate available federal resources. Furthermore, they will be recognized on a government website, accessible to prospective private foreign and domestic investors, looking for information on communities’ competitive attributes.